The virtual GEF Consultations with Civil Society on Enhancing Climate Resistance took place June 11, adjacent to the 60th Council meeting. This consultation was organized collaboratively among the GEF Secretariat, the GEF CSO Network, the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) and the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG).
The topic for this consultation was "Enhancing Climate Resilience: The Role of Civil Society, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities." The GEF Council members recognize the important the role civil society play in climate resilience and adaptation and selected this topic at its 57th meeting in December 2019. The consultation included roundtable discussions with civil society on experiences from GEF projects including from the GEF Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the GEF Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), the GEF SGP, and other similar projects around world. The main objectives with the roundtables were to showcase the valuable role of civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, and local communities in building resilience and adapting to a changing climate and to distill lessons learned for consideration in future GEF projects and programs.
IISD Event Coverage
Opening statements
Akhteruzzaman Sano, Chair of the GEF CSO Network, opened the consultation and called for setting indicators for outputs, outcomes, and impacts for each project; creating a country-driven monitoring and reporting system; and recognizing the GEF CSO Network as a special GEF Agency.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson, said the GEF needs to “dive deeper” in addressing fragile and conflict-affected communities within the countries it supports. He highlighted three key elements for GEF climate resilience projects: rights associated with ownership of environmental services, including implementation and enforcement of payment for ecosystem services (PES) frameworks through market mechanisms; upscaling and mainstreaming existing successful experiences in PES; and helping internalize Nagoya Protocol provisions on access and benefit sharing.
Mette Moglestue, Council Co-chair (Norway), stressed the GEF Council's interest in increasing CSO participation in climate-related decisions and in ensuring that enough climate finance reaches the local level to rebuild communities.
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